WRITTEN by samantha bosshart, Saratoga springs Preservation Foundation
Photos provided by Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation (unless Noted)
On Travers Weekend of 2020, Rachel Ferluge and Joe DeLeva, walked by the forlorn house at 69 Phila Street that was for sale. “We stopped dead in our tracks. We had so many questions – What was the history of the house? What did the red X on the building mean? Why was it so dilapidated? How much was it? Could it be made into a home?” said Rachel. That day was the start of the long journey to make 69 Phila Street their home.
The Italianate style residence was built by Robert Hunter, a mason, in 1851. Robert and his wife Harriet sold the house to Reverend Bostwick Hawley, an itinerant minister who served in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont. He purchased the house should his wife Elizabeth’s poor health ever prevent her from traveling with him. Together they had three children, each born in a different place. In 1875, due to Elizabeth’s failing health they moved into their home at 69 Phila Street. The following year, Reverend Hawley ended his long career as a minister in Saratoga Springs. On January 16, 1877, Elizabeth died. Her obituary referenced the home on Phila Street:
Mrs. Hawley in adjusting to her new home, quickly saw how many improvements might be made in and about it for convenience and comfort. While she planned like a skillful architect, the desirable additions and changes, her loving husband readily seconded her suggestions, and the house … became transformed into one of the most cozy, convenient and commodious family cottages in Saratoga.
Reverend Hawley continued to reside at 69 Phila Street following Elizabeth’s passing. In 1891, Reverend Hawley was elected the first president of the board of directors for an institution that was incorporated that year to care for children who were orphaned, from families with limited income, or were not well-cared for at home. In 1904, 64 Ludlow Street was purchased to serve as a Children’s Home, providing warmth and comfort for 16 children. In 1906, the home was renamed the Hawley Home for Children in his honor.
On July 29, 1910, Reverend Hawley died at the age of 96 at 69 Phila Street. He bequeathed $5,000 to the Hawley Home and ordered that the proceeds from the sale of 69 Phila Street also be given to the Hawley Home. For 61 years, Hawley Home provided refuge for more than 3,000 children. In 1965, the Hawley Home closed. The Hawley Foundation was established with proceeds from the sale of 64 Ludlow Street. Today, it continues to provide support to disadvantaged Saratoga County children.
Hawley’s daughter Mary Elizabeth, who was residing in the home with her father, was given use of the property for the remainder of her life. On October 9, 1931, she passed away. The trustees of the Hawley Home sold the property to Nathan Geiger, a real estate developer, on October 17, 1933. In 1934, with a change in zoning, 69 Phila Street became a boarding house. A series of different owners operated it as such until 1994.
In 1994, H. Case and Helen C. Simpson purchased the house at auction for $41,000. In 1998, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation listed 69 Phila Street and the adjacent property at 65 Phila Street on their inaugural endangered property list. In 2002, the Simpsons purchased the adjacent property at 65 Phila Street for $125,000. During their ownership, both houses were left vacant and neglected. Over the years, many interested parties attempted to purchase the properties, but no one was able to negotiate a price.
Rachel Ferluge and Joe DeLeva both grew up in the Capital Region and were high school sweethearts. After graduating from college, they moved to New York City to establish their careers. Growing up, Rachel and Joe had spent summers going to Sacandaga Lake and Saratoga Race Course, a tradition they continued while living in the city. They always planned to return to the area to raise their family. In 2017, their daughter Isla was born. By 2020, when 69 Phila Street caught their attention, they were starting to become serious about moving back.
In December, they toured the house. “We thought it was great from the first time we stepped inside,” said Rachel. Despite the decay, we could still see the architectural integrity and charm of the house, and because of that decay the interior was a blank canvas - all that remained were the studs - allowing us to create the modern, open space living that we wanted,” she continued. “Not to mention, the location - we could walk to everything!” said Joe.
As they were falling in love with 69 Phila Street, the Simpsons were ordered by the court to either repair 65 and 69 Phila Street or seek approval from the Design Review Board to demolish them. Rather than repair the structures, the Simpsons sought demolition. While uncertain of the Design Review Board process and outcome, Rachel and Joe continued to pursue construction bids and financing.
In February 2021, Rachel and Joe made an offer on 69 Phila Street. The Simpsons accepted their offer and withdrew the application to demolish it in March. On May 11, they closed on the property. That same day, they wrote to the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation to share that they were the new owners:
We are beyond thrilled to become homeowners in the East Side Historic District and to own such an important piece of history… We also want to make it clear that we are completely aware of the importance of this property to the City of Saratoga Springs and the immediate surrounding community. Our goal is to make 69 Phila Street a beautiful home where we can raise our family. We want to fully restore the exterior with unwavering respect to the original design.
Rachel and Joe hired their friend Susan “Suvi” Lomonaco, principal of SUVI Architecture Studio. “Suvi is our longtime friend who has experience with rehabilitations of historic properties in Albany. We thought she would be great helping us design our family dream home, and she was!” shared Rachel. Old Saratoga Restorations was hired as the contractor. “Bob West was super excited to work on the project.” “He was amazing to work with and brought a human touch to the construction business,” said Joe.
“Many believed it was too far gone. I strived to show Joe and Rachel all the beautiful historic details that we could preserve and revive, such as the brick, slate mansard roof, cornice details, and porch columns,” said Suvi. The remaining five historic windows were restored and relocated to the primary facade. New balustrades were constructed based on shadow lines on the porch columns that gave the profile of the balusters that no longer existed.
All that remained of the interior was the severely compromised original interior framing and flooring that was due to a roof collapse. Unfortunately, none of it could be salvaged. “A new interior framing system needed to be constructed within the exterior brick walls, requiring a systematic approach to selective demolition, bracing, and reconstruction – all of which had to be done very carefully!” said Bob West.
“When work was taking place regularly people stopped to thank us, providing affirmation that we were doing the right thing,” said Joe. “Now that we have moved in, we continue to have people – young, old, residents, and visitors – compliment the work we
have done. It feels good,” continued Joe.
On June 1, 2024, Rachel, Joe, and Isla moved into their new home. Not long after, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation hosted a block party to celebrate the preservation of 65 and 69 Phila Street. At the event, Rachel and Joe were recognized for their commitment to restoring a piece of Saratoga Springs’ history. Rachel and Joe thanked Suvi and Bob; the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for being their guiding star through the process; and the neighbors for their patience during construction. To close, Rachel asked musician Cassandra Kubinski to play the chorus to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Our House,” a song that they often played during their three-year journey.
… Our house is a very, very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy 'cause of you
On behalf of our community, thank you for making it a very, very fine house.
